Psalms 107:17

“Fools, because of their transgression, etc.] Or, “because of the way” f1539 “of it”; their sinful course of life; for it is not for a single transgression they are afflicted, but for a continued series of sinning, which is a transgression of the law of God. By “fools” are meant not idiots, men devoid of common sense and natural understanding, but immoral persons; such who have no understanding of divine and spiritual things; are destitute of the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom; without the true knowledge of God himself; place their happiness in sensual enjoyments; seek only the gratification of their lust; scoff at religion, make a mock at sin, and have no concern about a…”

“Fools, because of their transgression - Wicked people, considered as fools, because they “are” transgressors. Compare Psalms 14:1, note; Psalms 73:3, note; Psalms 75:4, note. The immediate allusion here, probably, is to the Jews, who had been so wicked and so supremely foolish in violating the commands of God, and making it necessary to bring upon them as a punishment the captivity at Babylon; but the language is made general because it will with equal propriety describe the conduct of all wicked people. There is nothing more foolish than an act of wickedness; there is no wisdom equal to that of obeying God. And because of their iniquities, are afflicted - A more literal rendering of this…”

“Afflicted - With sickness. Psalms 107:20”

“107:17-22 Fools who received what they deserved but were rescued from death offer thanksgiving to the Lord.”

“Fools: This is the third comparison; the captives being compared to persons in a dangerous malady, as the consequences of their own sins. Psa 14:1, Psa 92:6; Pro 1:22, Pro 7:7, Pro 7:22 because: Psa 38:1-8; Num 11:33, Num 11:34, Num 12:10-13, Num 21:5-9; Isa 57:17, Isa 57:18; Jer 2:19; Lam 3:39 Psalms 107:18”

“Others were brought to the brink of the grave by severe sickness; but when they draw nigh in earnest prayer to Him who appointed that they should suffer thus on account of their sins, He became their Saviour. אויל (cf. e.g., Job 5:3), like נבל (vid., Psa 14:1), is also an ethical notion, and not confined to the idea of defective intellect merely. It is one who insanely lives only for the passing hour, and ruins health, calling, family, and in short himself and everything belonging to him. Those who were thus minded, the poet begins by saying, were obliged to suffer by reason of (in consequence of) their wicked course of life. The cause of their days of pain and sorrow is placed first by way…”